Distinct variety of begonia plant named Danja

ABSTRACT

A new begonia variety is characterized by its strong growth, abundant flowering, and soft pastel yellow flower color.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofBegonia×hiemalis known by the varietal name of Danja. The new cultivarresulted from the self pollination of the cultivar Rosalie (U.S. PlantPat. No. 6,321). The new cultivar has the same habit and growingcharacteristics as Rosalie but has a different leaf shape and flowercolor. The new variety has a leaf shape with an acute tip with anirregularity lobed attachment whereas Rosalie has a shape of an ovatetip with an oblique petal attachment. The new variety has a flower colorwhich is soft pastel yellow as compared to the pastel peach with pinktones of the flower of the variety Rosalie.

The new cultivar was discovered in April of 1985 at Limaplant, b.v. inLisse, Holland, was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at Limaplant,b.v. in Lisse, Holland and has been asexually reproduced by cuttings forOglevee Limited in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar is generally characterized by its strong growth andabundant flowering. The plant has short compact internodes with goodbasal branching. The strong stems give good self support. The softpastel yellow coloring fulfills a market need.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., hasa response time of 9 to 10 weeks from a well-rooted cutting to aflowering finished plant in a six inch pot (no pinch).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color beingas nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which define these characteristics were collectedfrom asexual reproductions carried out for Oglevee Limited inConnellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on ten week plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and grown undertemperature conditions of 62° F. at night and 68° F. during the day. Theplants were potted in July of 1987 in a peat-lite mix and fertilizedwith a mixture of 20N-10P-20K. Color readings were taken indoors under200 footcandles of cool white fluorescent tubes. Color references are tothe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London,unless noted differently.

Botanical classification: Begonia×hiemalis

Flower:

Fully expanded.--6 cm. in diameter; side view: flat and oval appearance.

Borne.--Compound dichasium with opposite bracts at the base of eachflower cluster. The bracts are characterized by an obtuse base with aslightly undulate margin, and occur at bifurcation of the inflorescence.

Stems.--Strong upright stems; average stem width 1.0 cm. Color:Yellow-green group 145C.

Form.--Male flower, double. Each flower has 2 sepals, 6 petals and, 17petaloids (each group may vary ± 1 on the structure). Female flowerstend to have only 2 sepals, 4 petals, and 3 petaloids.

Permanence.--Very long lasting bloom, average life span of 2 weeks.

Color:

Tonality from a distance.--The flower color is a soft pastel yellow.

Front of petals.--Fully mature petals are characterized by an outermargin having a color yellow group 8D and the center having a coloryellow group 8B.

Reverse of petals.--Fully mature and expanded petals are characterizedby a translucent color of yellow group 8D.

Calyx.--Consists of 2 sepals (outer floral envelopes).Front--yellow-group 8D and as you move toward the apex of the petal,color becomes translucent. Reverse: this flower part in the bud stagehas slight pink tones in its center. The pink disappears by the time theflower fully matures. The color of the calyx in the bud stage ischaracterized by the color 8D.

Bract.--Characterized by margin color red group 45C lightening inintensity as base is approached.

Throat.--None.

Discoloration.--None.

Other comments.--Flower color is a very light yellow with a high degreeof consistency in flower color. Both male and female flowers are thesame color.

Petals:

Texture.--Crepe paper like (gentle crinkles).

Appearance.--Translucent yellow color.

Arrangement.--Semi to fully double.

Persistence.--Very good flower response, produces high number of buds.

Reproductive organs: None observed with reproductive organs formed intopetaloids.

Plant:

Form.--Short and compact; internodes; good basal branching; strongstems; good self-support.

Growth.--Very vigorous; upright growth habit.

Height from soil line.--25 to 28 cm. in 10 weeks (no pinch, no cycocel).

Spread.--25 to 30 cm. in 10 weeks (no pinch, no cycocel).

Foliage:

Size.--Average size of leaves 4 nodes above the soil line in 16 cm longby 11 cm wide.

Quantity.--Abundant.

Shape.--Acute tip with irregularly lobed attachment; edge is doublyserrated.

Top side.--Green group 137B.

Underside.--Green group 148C; shiny and smooth.

Ribs and veins.--Smooth on top, raised on lower side. Lower side ofveins only area where tricomes (hair) appear.

Rib and vein color.--Top side: yellow-green group 150D; bottom side:yellow-green group 147D.

Margin.--None.

Stipules.--Color: yellow-green group 145C.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of begonia characterized by itsstrong growth, abundant flowering, and soft pastel yellow flower coloras herein shown and described.